Radiologists are not doctors reading images. They are physicians who perform and interpret tests (X-rays, ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, PET/CT) and intervene in the body (biopsies and other treatments) and help the treating physicians manage their patients better.

This is why teleradiology is so intellectually stultifying, because it commoditizes the radiologist and converts him/her into a "reading machine", taking away the "physician" part of being a radiologist.

This blog is all about those stories that make it gratifying being a radiologist.

And some thoughts about radiology.

If you have stories to share, feel free to email me on bhavin at jankharia dot com

In a recent issue of JAMA, is a short article by Dr. H. Esterbrook Longmaid that describes a moment when the doctor makes a diagnosis of metastatic prostatic cancer in another doctor, who has been a mentor and a teacher. It makes poignant reading.

I am reminded of the number of times I have had to break the news of some disease or the other to a colleague or junior or senior / teacher. So often, these doctors, even though they may not refer patients themselves, choose us because of the faith they have in us…that we will do the best we can when we perform the test, that we will break the news to them in the best possible manner and most importantly, we will maintain confidentiality regarding the results.

Each time a doctor comes to us in this manner, it should be a matter of pride that one of our colleagues who could have gone to anyone, has chosen you or me to come to, over others. And we should do our best to never undermine this trust.